Independence: Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia, January 1, 1993; Note: although January 1 is the day the Czech Republic came into being, the Czechs generally consider October 28, 1918, the day the former Czechoslovakia declared its independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as their independence day

Alcohol Legal: Yes

Minimum Drinking Age: 18

BAC: 0.00%

Number of Breweries: 127

How to Say “Beer”: pivo

How to Order a Beer: Pivo, pro-seem

How to Say “Cheers”: Nazdar or Na zdraví (“to your health”)

Toasting Etiquette: The most common toast is “Na zdravi!” which means “to your health,” upon which each person clicks glasses with everyone at the table. Make eye contact with each person you click glasses with, or you will be considered rude.

Alcohol Consumption By Type:

Beer: 57%

Wine: 16%

Spirits: 24%

Other: 3%

Alcohol Consumption Per Capita (in litres):

Recorded: 14.97

Unrecorded: 1.48

Total: 16.45

Beer: 8.51

WHO Alcohol Data:

Per Capita Consumption: 15 litres

Alcohol Consumption Trend: Stable

Excise Taxes: Yes

Minimum Age: 18

Sales Restrictions: Specific events, intoxicated persons

Advertising Restrictions: Some

Sponsorship/Promotional Restrictions: No

Patterns of Drinking Score: 3

Prohibition: On September 14, 2012, the government of the Czech Republic banned all sales of liquor with more than 20% alcohol. From this date on it is illegal to sell (and/or offer for sale) such alcoholic beverages in shops, supermarkets, bars, restaurants, gas stations, e-shops etc. This measure was taken in response to the wave of methanol poisoning cases resulting in the deaths of 18 people in the Czech Republic. Since the beginning of the “methanol affair” the total number of deaths has increased to 25. The ban remains until further notice, though restrictions were eased towards the end of September.